Reasons to Vote No on Moore County School Bond

Voting on local school bonds is a significant decision that can impact the community for years to come. In Moore County, the proposed school bond has sparked a heated debate among residents. While some advocate for the bond, believing it will enhance educational facilities, others raise concerns about its implications. This post will explore several compelling reasons to consider voting no on the Moore County School Bond.

A school building surrounded by a playground area.

Understanding the Proposed Moore County School Bond

Before voting this November, it's essential to understand what the proposal entails. The Moore County School Bond aims to raise over $170 million for:

• Building a new elementary school in Carthage (estimated $40+ million)

• Constructing a new high school (estimated $80+ million)

• Renovations and upgrades to Union Pines and Pinecrest High Schools

While these goals may seem beneficial, it is crucial to examine the broader implications of such a financial commitment.

Financial Burden on Taxpayers

One of the most pressing concerns is the financial burden this places on taxpayers:

Increased Property Taxes: Passing the bond will lead to higher property taxes for decades. County Manager Wayne Vest confirmed this will trigger a review of the county's bond rating, reflecting the significant debt burden.

Long-term Debt: Bonds are loans that must be repaid over 20-30 years with interest. Residents will be paying off this debt for decades, potentially diverting funds from other essential county services like public safety, roads, and emergency services.

Opportunity Cost: Over $100 million could address other community needs. The commissioners are already discussing courthouse renovations, emergency services improvements, and infrastructure projects. Is building new schools the best use of limited resources?

Questionable Necessity of New Facilities

While proponents cite overcrowding at Union Pines and Pinecrest High Schools, several factors challenge this justification:

Declining Market Share: Moore County Schools has lost 12% of its market share over the past seven years to charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling. The district now enrolls only 72% of school-aged children in the county, down from 84% statewide.

Current Enrollment Trends: With 13,016 students across 23 schools, enrollment growth has not kept pace with population growth. District officials themselves attribute enrollment shifts to their own virtual academy and Blend Ed program pulling students from traditional schools.

Underutilization Risk: The district's own 2022-23 enrollment report noted that some schools had "low years" in kindergarten enrollment, and administrators use "three-year averages" for projections because of fluctuations. Building expensive new facilities based on optimistic projections risks leaving taxpayers with debt payments on underutilized schools.

The Educational Landscape Has Fundamentally Changed

North Carolina's education policy changes make this bond particularly risky:

Charter School Competition: Three charter schools serve over 800 Moore County students. The Academy of Moore County and STARS Charter School are ranked among the state's top schools. Moore Montessori opened in 2018, and district officials explicitly linked its opening to public school enrollment declines.

Homeschooling Explosion: Statewide, homeschooling reached 165,243 students, representing 13% of K-12 enrollment—double the national average. Moore County was specifically identified as one of the counties with the largest percent increases in homeschooling since 2016.

Opportunity Scholarship Expansion: The state's voucher program served over 80,000 students in 2024-25, with 40,000 new applications for fall 2025. Awards of $3,458-$7,686 annually are now available to all families regardless of income. State funding reaches $585 million by 2025-26, making private school financially accessible to families who previously had no alternative. This represents the most significant education policy change in North Carolina history.

Lack of Transparency

Transparency concerns surround this bond proposal:

Limited Public Input: The bond was only recently announced, with planning happening primarily between the school board and commissioners. Many community members feel rushed to make a decision on a $100+ million commitment without adequate time for public engagement.

Unclear Necessity: County commissioners themselves noted the bond could be financed without a referendum, possibly for less cost and with earlier construction. If the need were truly urgent, why insist on a public vote that delays the process?

Site Selection Controversy: The proposed Carthage elementary school site has generated controversy, with Carthage town commissioners advocating for a different location. The school board purchased 32 acres for $465,000 in farm country outside town limits, raising questions about the decision-making process.

Alternative Solutions

Before committing to over $100 million in new construction, Moore County should explore alternatives:

Optimize Existing Facilities: With 23 schools serving 13,016 students, better utilization of current buildings through redistricting may address overcrowding without new construction.

Targeted Solutions: Specific overcrowding at Union Pines and Pinecrest could be addressed through additions or innovative scheduling, costing millions rather than tens of millions.

Quality Over Quantity: Instead of more buildings, invest in what makes schools competitive: teacher salaries, rigorous academics, expanded career and technical education, and innovative programs that give families reasons to choose their neighborhood public school.

Wait and Watch: Monitor enrollment trends for 2-3 more years. If charter, private, and homeschool growth continues accelerating while public school enrollment stagnates or declines, the need for new facilities becomes even more questionable.

Community Priorities

Every community has unique needs. Before voting, residents should reflect on what matters most:

What are Moore County's most pressing needs? With limited tax revenue, are new school buildings the highest priority? What about roads, public safety, emergency services, or economic development?

How do we best support students? If only 72% of school-aged children attend public schools, building more public school facilities doesn't help the 28% choosing alternatives. Perhaps supporting educational choice better serves the entire community. Make is easier to start private schools, the local zoning laws make it very difficult to start a private high school to serve local students. Fix the zoning laws!

What does stewardship require? Biblical stewardship calls us to manage resources wisely, not simply according to what we've always done. When circumstances change fundamentally, wisdom requires adapting rather than doubling down on outdated assumptions.

Conclusion

Voting no on the Moore County School Bond is not a rejection of education—it's a call for prudent stewardship in a dramatically changed educational landscape. By considering the financial implications, the fundamental shift in how families choose to educate their children, and the risks of building for enrollment that may never materialize, residents can make an informed decision.

The data is clear: Moore County families are increasingly choosing charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling. State policies now support these choices with unprecedented funding. Borrowing over $100 million to build traditional public school facilities when that sector is losing market share isn't forward-thinking—it's betting against the most significant education policy changes in state history.

As the voting date approaches, engage with your community, ask questions, and demand clear answers about enrollment projections, cost-benefit analysis, and alternatives to this massive debt commitment. Your vote is your voice, and it matters.

Vote no on the Moore County School Bond.